Friday at a campaign rally, Virginia’s Republican governor Glenn Youngkin was criticized for bringing up the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Youngkin said this while campaigning for Republican Yesli Vega, who is running against Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger. Vega is challenging Spanberger for the seat.
Donald McEachin, a Democrat from Virginia, referred to it as a “disgusting, filthy, and crude remark” made by Governor Youngkin.
McEachin wrote, “While Paul Pelosi is undergoing brain surgery, Glenn Youngkin uses it as an opportunity for political attacks.” This despicable conduct is beneath the dignity of his position.
Other Republicans, such as House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, a victim of the 2017 Congressional Baseball Game practice shooting, criticized the violence more forcefully.
“Abhorrent to learn of the heinous assault on Paul Pelosi, the husband of Speaker Pelosi. “Grateful for the response by law enforcement,” Scalise tweeted. Let there be no confusion: violence has no place in this nation. I am hoping for Paul Pelosi’s complete healing.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, the ranking Republican in the Senate, also weighed in.
Paul Pelosi was beaten in his and Nancy Pelosi’s residence yesterday night, according to sources. McConnell tweeted on Friday that he was “grateful to hear that Paul is on pace to make a full recovery and that law enforcement, including our great Capitol Police, are on the case.”
In addition, Tennessee Republican Senator Bill Hagerty described the early morning attack as “horrific and horrible.”
Hagerty stated, “Chrissy and I are praying for the entire Pelosi family and Paul’s swift and complete recovery.”
Rep. Steve Chabot, a Republican from Ohio, stated that he was ‘very distressed’ by the savage assault on 82-year-old Paul.
Chabot stated, “Violence is never justified and has no place in our peaceful conversation.” The perpetrator of the attack should be prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law.
Police identified the attacker as 42-year-old David DePape, whose social media posts promoted denial of the 2020 election and the January 6 attack on the Capitol, as well as a number of notable right-wing conspiracy theories.
Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan, who withdrew from Congress rather than face a Trump-backed primary opponent after voting for the ex-second president’s impeachment, referenced DePape’s social media posts in a tweet.
Upton stated, “I am shocked by the heinous attack on Speaker Pelosi’s husband Paul.”
‘Whether you like it or not, January 6 was a reality, and threats leading to violence undermine our democratic form of government, whether they are directed at elected officials, Supreme Court Justices, or local school board members,’ he added.
During the attack on the Capitol on January 6, members of the MAGA mob especially targeted Speaker Pelosi, vandalizing her office and yelling for her.